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Tuesday, June 30, 2009

This week, it's updates for Authors After Dark. More nonsense next week. I promise.

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO THE HOTEL'S NEW IMPOSED CAPPING, WE HAVE UNTIL AUGUST 1ST TO GET REGISTRATIONS IN FOR THE PRICE OF 160$. FROM AUG 1ST-SEPT 1ST THE PRICE WILL BE 175$ TO COVER THE COST OF LATE ADDED MEALS. WE ARE SORRY FOR THIS, BUT ITS THE HOTEL'S NEW POLICY. PLEASE GET YOUR REGISTRATIONS IN NOW AND PAID BY AUGUST 1ST TO GET THE ORIGINAL RATE!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Roman Aiza is the second born son of the Aiza clan. He also owns and operates a private security company and has an ongoing contract with one of Florida's most influential residents. He is patrolling at a party when he encounters a woman who will haunt him. A woman who at their first meeting, manages to walk right out of his hands when he follows her for trespassing. She manages to do this without giving Roman a single reason why she is in the depths of the house he is protecting. When he does finally locate her days later, his goal is to prove that his instincts are wrong. She is not the woman that all of his senses are clamoring for. Yet when the daughter of Roman's largest and closest account is kidnapped and held for ransom, will they be able to build a trust between them? Or will their own secrets keep them apart?

Trusting Delilah kept my attention from first word to last. This is a story that grabs all the emotions and the senses.

Judith Rochelle, Author of Cutter's Law and Redemption.

Excerpt:

He captured her gaze again, his scowl deepening on his darkly glowering face. "I will repeat this only once more: Who are you?" She met his stare head on, and for the first time, allowed herself to acknowledge the shiver sliding down her back. This man did not like being thwarted. She relented, to a degree. "Believe me, I'm not worth knowing," she told him with a careless toss of her shoulder. She leaned against her desk in a more casual way, crossing her arms, prepared for his next attack. He stepped back, his expression slackened by her answer. "Not worth knowing?" His tone was no less stunned than the shocked light in his dark eyes. "That is what I believe I said, so if you'll excuse me," she said, trying to move away from the desk but he stepped up again and blocked her escape. She rolled her eyes. Great! Now she was a stinking challenge. She really didn't need this. She didn't have the time for it. "Let me get this straight. You were at the party for a confidential purpose, can shoot better than anyone I've ever met, you're a black belt in God only knows what, and you won't even tell me your name?" "I also speak four languages. Fluently," she offered as a last dig. "And no." "Trade me," he whispered in a husky tone. He'd somehow inched close enough to block her vision of the rest of the office from around his solid body. Her gaze flicked from side to side, but all she found was shoulders that filled her vision. Her breathing hitched. "What?" She searched his handsome angular face directly in front of her. He had moved in, towering over her, but for some reason her brain wasn't picking up the right commands. His arms braced her again, but the threat of violence was gone. Now she felt captured. His dark brooding eyes were hooded. She bit her lower lip, fighting to keep the trembling at bay. His hot breath whispered over her skin as he leaned toward her. "Trade me. Meet me for dinner. I'll tell you mine in good faith. You can tell me yours at dinner." She fought the heat that pooled in her belly at his whispered caress. She'd tasted desire, but had never allowed herself the freedom to experience it. The risks were too high, even as tempting as he was. She focused on his features, knowing what she had to do. "I've already given you a name," she admitted, putting up her last wall. There was no way she was letting him get anything else out of her. He on the other hand, had ensured she would know everything there was to know about him by the end of the day. "What's that?" he asked, his lips just a breath from her neck. Tingles shot down her spine again, and created a wave of awareness that made her heart trip for a new reason. Silently she made another apology for what she was about to say, but he was way too close and way too stimulating. In a way she couldn't afford to become entangled in, not in anything that even remotely looked personal. "Son of Frankenstein."

A TRUST EARNED

Selene Aiza is a very compassionate woman by nature, and fiercely protective of those she cares for. A renowned doctor with gentle patient skills, she prefers the wild country of western Oregon and the secluded hospital where she can help the people who truly need her assistance. And in the depths of those wooded wilds she can keep her secrets well hidden. She is safe until the man she encounters by pure chance becomes the hospital's first choice as co-administrator. Her secrets and her very life fall into jeopardy, and only he can save her. He could also destroy her. "...this one is a must."Fennel, LASR Buy it now!Available in print here!Read the first chapter here!EXCERPT:It was at that moment he knew she wasn’t ill, with her chest rising and falling with ragged gasps. Her breath was a hot brand against the hand holding her chin. “Bram,” she whispered, a plea of confusion. “Selene,” he said, lingering as he stood before her. His head tilted to hers before he realized he couldn’t stop himself. She gasped as he made contact, a seductive heat that filled him, made him hungry in a way he had never imagined when his mouth covered hers. He stepped back in a rush, dropping his hands as if he’d burned himself. Maybe he had. “Oh, God! I’m sorry,” he gasped. He shook from the power of the kiss, of her lips as they melted against him. Her eyes flashed at him and she snaked a hand to wrap around his head. “I’m not,” she whispered, pulling him back down. She controlled the kiss, the heat, the hunger. It was all Selene as his hands settled at her waist, holding himself steady. His heart beat with a trip-hammer intensity against his rib cage as she urged him on. She moaned softly when he pressed himself against her body, the shape of her form filling him the way her kiss was filling his senses. She shuddered in his hold when he flicked out his tongue, touching the edge of her soft mouth. Her reaction shot through him like a liquid fire. He became consumed by her kiss, her touch. He became lost in her as he took the kiss over from her, feeding off of her. She moaned again, deeper, a vibration that heated his blood to boiling. He forced himself to stop, to lift his head. Or he would make love to her.

Yeah, right -- She's the wickedest witch you'll ever meet, if "wicked" means perky as all get out, and living off a trust fund. When her boss lays down the law, she actually has to work for a living and her world comes tumbling down. Ruining an uber geek's chance to find true love sounds easy until Gregory Hamilton shows up on her doorstep. He may be a nerd, but one look tells her this is a man with super stud possibilities.

Turning on her inner wicked, Nikki does everything she can to prove true love ain't all it's cracked up to be.

~~

In the spirit of open disclosure, I am going to happily admit to knowing and being a friend of J. Morgan. That being said I rarely, if ever, review friend's works publicly because of this.

This book is a good reason to break that rule.

Let me say right off the bat, that Nikki is an absolute scream. A witch who can't be bad? Who can't be "evil"? Uh huh. So we find out she's going to have major problems if she can't change her happy-go-lucky lifestyle and be the "wicked witch of Lousiana". No, you're thinking of the witch from Oz. Wrong branch of the family.

Her challenge? To ruin some poor unlucky guy for True Love forever. For a gal who's lived for so long, what happens literally comes out of left field. And lands right on her doorstep. His witchly order-to please help him find his true love. A complete negative meets itself head-on as far as what she needs to keep everyone happy, and what he thinks he's paid for. He wants it, she has to keep him from finding it. Permanently. Why do bosses have to be so impossible to please?

There were some fabulous lines in this story, again showing Jmo's talent at the twisted word. "...behind door number mine." right out of the gate was enough to keep reading until the next release of hilarity, and dear Nikki has some doozies, especially with her warped inner dialogues going on. She is a witch on a mission-to make this man miserable. If she can score a little nookie on the side as a benefit, who's gonna complain? She gets to keep her Witch's Code in good health, her boss happy, and might even make her mother proud. Yeah, I know, an impossible feat. But what's a witch to do? It's time to get wicked.

With a little finesse and silliness she worms her way through two meetings with her Mr. To-Be-Miserable, then discovers working against love might not be the solution. Especially when it looks like one of her magical attempts worked!

The characters in this book were the expected "meanie"-her boss, "pushy"-her mother, "supportive"-Nob and her father, but there was nothing expected about their timing. The flow of this story made it impossible to put down. Thus another late night reading and late morning rising.

He doesn’t need a wife. She doesn’t want a husband. Destiny’s not listening.

Book 2 in the Gypsy Legacy Series

As children, Brand Waring, heir to the Duke of Warringham, and his brother were kidnapped and sold to a plantation in the West Indies. Now Brand is back to wreak vengeance on those responsible for his brother’s subsequent death. The last thing he wants, or needs, is to be distracted by an instant attraction to a flighty Society belle.

Felicia Collings has found it easy to refuse every marriage proposal, thanks to a ring left to her by her gypsy great-grandmother. Reportedly it will lead her to the man whom she is destined to marry. To her relief, the ring has been blessedly silent on this issue. Until Brand recognizes it, and sparks fly.

In spite of himself, Brand finds himself drawn to the beauty, and to the wounded soul reflected in her eyes. At his gentle hands, Felicia begins to learn what it means to be cherished and loved.

Then the past rears its head to threaten their fragile happiness. As Brand begins to doubt whether vengeance is as sweet as a lifetime with Felicia, he finds himself racing to save them both from not one cold-blooded killer—but two.

Excerpt

Brand’s temper had cooled somewhat by the time he reached the ridge and began the short climb. He was still angry, but he’d had a chance to think along the way. Approaching from the north, he noticed Felicia’s small figure seated on a patch of grass at the south end of the small ridge. Her hair was pulled back with only a ribbon and he frowned at the sight. He didn’t think ladies ever left home with their hair down. Brand dismounted, looping the bay’s reins loosely over a branch, and strode toward her. She turned and looked as he advanced toward her. Wariness widened her eyes. Good, he thought. She ought to wonder. He wanted to shake her, kiss her, turn her over his knee, kiss her, scare some sense into her, kiss her… She scrambled to her feet as he reached her, brushing the grass and dirt off of her legs and… Good God, what was she wearing now? “Have you no sense of decency at all?” he blurted as he took in the loose-fitting shirt, breeches, and knee-high boots. “No one will see me.” She straightened defiantly. “And I wanted to ride Midnight.” “Midnight?” “My horse. He won’t allow a ladies’ saddle on his back. Never has.” Brand glanced around the small area. “I don’t see a horse, although you obviously got here somehow.” She shrugged. “He’s around. He won’t go far.” “Hopefully not any farther than the stables.” She shrugged again, then turned to look out toward the horizon, presenting her back to him. For long moments Brand merely stared at the view before he realized he was becoming uncomfortably warm. Shifting his eyes from her backside, enticingly outlined by the form-fitting breeches, and the wealth of raven curls caressing it, he cleared his throat. She turned. “Did you come up here for a reason, or were you just out for a ride?” “You lost something. I came to return it.” “Oh?” Extracting something from his pocket, he picked up her hand and dropped into it the ring he’d found on his bedside table, forcefully folding her fingers over it when she tried to snatch her hand away. “I didn’t lose it. I merely returned it to its rightful owner.” “Then you lost it. Because you are its rightful owner.” “No, I’m not. Your father gave it to you.” “The ring belongs to my future wife. It was merely given to me for safekeeping until that person could be determined.” Felicia’s mouth fell open at the twisted logic. “Your great-grandmother told you it was yours, did she not?” “Yes, but…” “There you have it. It’s yours, not mine. Your great-grandmother wouldn’t have lied to you, would she?”

Reviews

Coffee Time Romance (5 cups) "This is [a] wonderful story...Brand has a lot of shadows and nightmares in his past. These lead him to be a strong and determined man giving his all to the woman he grows to love and the life that has become his. Felicia has her own nightmares and is a far from being the perfect young lady. This makes her all the more loveable, and it is impossible not to respect the woman she matures into." Hollie

Ecataromance ". . .a fabulous tale of true love, murder, betrayal, and mayhem in merry old England! What a treasure of a story! Plan on having enough time to finish because when you start reading, you will not want to stop!. . .This is a fascinating story, rich with the history of the period, full of adventure, kidnapping, true love, and a mystery that will keep the reader glued to the pages as the story unfolds. . .It is a Keeper! Susiq2

The Long and Short Of It (5 books) ". . .an outstanding sequel that kept me reading until the wee hours of the morning. If you enjoy historical romance, the Gypsy Legacy series is one not to be missed.. .The storytelling is so well-done that you can’t help but be wrapped up in the story of these characters until you come to the last page. Orange Blossom

RT Book Reviews (4½ stars) "Patrick's second entry in her Gypsy Legacy series is delightful. Her consummate storytelling runs the gamut with gripping plotlines, nonstop action and multifaceted characters. There's a wonderful love story and a conspiracy guaranteed to keep readers on their toes." Donna M. Brown

Joyfully Reviewed The Duke is an action-packed, sometimes dark historical tale of betrayal, kidnapping, family, and destiny. . . The story begins as a seemingly typical tale of a man and a woman being forced to wed to avoid scandal, but The Duke soon becomes something much more. There’s a suspense angle involving Brand’s past that, while at times melodramatic, was engaging. Felicia’s past and her current fears are explored, as well as a bit of a paranormal angle with the gypsy great-grandmother’s predictions. There is also a lot of interaction involving the secondary characters, who all seem to have interesting stories of their own. While I recommend reading the first book in the series first, for patient readers, The Duke will provide a suspenseful and nonstop final act. Cassie

Thursday, June 18, 2009

For Molly Scott, everything bad in her life has happened during the Christmas season, from training bras in her stocking to being jilted by her fiancé. This year is no exception.

Ten days before Christmas, she arrives at work to find her department closed down and everyone laid off. Desperate, she takes a job for a singing telegram service and, dressed as Mrs. Claus, meets the man of her dreams--who turns out to be a nightmare--in a broken-down elevator. The Christmas Curse is right on track.

~~~

A cute Christmas, quick read story. I liked Molly's klutzy, gutsy return after being released ten days before Christmas from her not-so perfect job. Her survival before Christmas was the kind that pulled at heartstrings. Even when she ironically meets the Grinch in her life in an elevator she manages to make it through the ensuing power outage with aplomb.

The only thing that bothered me about this story was the contention point of her being fired. She tells him why she'd rather see him hung at the top of the Rockefeller tree, he explains it to us with internal thoughts, but doesn't do anything to smooth that misunderstanding between them before she, rather quickly, believes her "curse" has been banished by falling in love.

I enjoy Ms. Arkins writing on most levels. This one just seemed a little unfinished at the end.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Roman Aiza is the second born son of the Aiza clan. He also owns and operates a private security company and has an ongoing contract with one of Florida's most influential residents. He is patrolling at a party when he encounters a woman who will haunt him. A woman who at their first meeting, manages to walk right out of his hands when he follows her for trespassing. She manages to do this without giving Roman a single reason why she is in the depths of the house he is protecting. When he does finally locate her days later, his goal is to prove that his instincts are wrong. She is not the woman that all of his senses are clamoring for.

Yet when the daughter of Roman's largest and closest account is kidnapped and held for ransom, will they be able to build a trust between them? Or will their own secrets keep them apart?~~Read a full excerpt here!

Trusting Delilah kept my attention from first word to last. This is a story that grabs all the emotions and the senses. Judith Rochelle, Author of Cutter's Law and Redemption.

A TRUST EARNED

Selene Aiza is a very compassionate woman by nature, and fiercely protective of those she cares for. A renowned doctor with gentle patient skills, she prefers the wild country of western Oregon and the secluded hospital where she can help the people who truly need her assistance. And in the depths of those wooded wilds she can keep her secrets well hidden.

She is safe until the man she encounters by pure chance becomes the hospital's first choice as co-administrator. Her secrets and her very life fall into jeopardy, and only he can save her. He could also destroy her.~~Read a full excerpt here!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Blurb: A proper, level-headed woman. A handsome, wandering rogue. Sparks fly between them, but does the innkeeper’s daughter dare leave behind all that’s familiar to run away with a gypsy?

After managing her drunken father’s inn for most of her adult life, Bess is presented with an offer of marriage from a member of the local gentry. She should be thrilled at the proposed match with a man so far above her station, but knows Lord Wallace is more interested in the income from her successful business than he is in her.

One day while shopping in the market, she meets a charming stranger who shakes up her world. She’s unprepared for the onslaught of powerful feelings Alexi rouses in her as he woos her with passionate intensity. Now Bess must decide what she truly wants from life and how she chooses to live her future.

Excerpt*:

Bess wished she’d taken her coat. Walking briskly out of town toward the Old Ford Road, her heart had pumped hard, heating her body. But now as she stood at the edge of the woods, gazing at the flickering flames and the shapes of people moving against them, she shivered. The breeze was cold in the deep shadows underneath the trees and a light cotton blouse and skirt weren’t enough to keep her warm. The merry sound of a fiddler playing a jig wafted through the air along with voices talking, singing and laughing. Children’s high cries and dogs’ barking played counterpoint to the lower adult voices. Someone threw a piece of wood on one of the campfires and a glorious shower of sparks flew high into the sky. She’d been a fool to imagine she could join in their revelry. She was an outsider and didn’t belong. If she hurried home, maybe no one would notice she’d been gone. But just as she turned to walk away, a dark figure jogged toward her from the camp site and a husky voice called out, “Don’t go.” She already knew that voice although she’d only heard it briefly. Alexi spoke softly yet with authority. Something about the deep tone of his voice commanded obedience and she found her feet rooted to the spot as she waited for him. The heat of his body enveloped her as he drew close. He wore a king’s mantle of charisma and it occurred to her he was someone of importance among his people. “I’m glad you came.” He held out his hand. Bess scarcely hesitated before she took it. She’d already thrown convention aside tonight, running across the countryside in the middle of the night like a crazy woman. What difference could it possibly make if she held his hand? A sense of freedom flooded her as he pulled her toward the noisy gypsy festivities. But then her heart pounded as many pairs of eyes focused on her. She had no business being here and they all knew it. Alexi squeezed her hand. “You’re my guest. They’re curious, but everyone will be polite to you. I want to introduce you to my grandmother. She speaks only Romani and Hungarian. Her people migrated here from Hungary.” “Is that where you all come from?” “Our people originated in India, but have traveled throughout so much of the world adopting bits of other cultures and languages until there’s little binding the different groups of roma together.” Bess walked close to his side as if she could hide in his shadow. He put his hand on the small of her back and it was warm and reassuring. He guided her toward an old woman sitting on a chair by one of the fires. Although smoke wafted in a thin line from a pipe in her mouth, her eyes were closed. Alexi bent over her and touched her arm. Alexi bent over her and touched her arm. “Baba?” He spoke a few words in his low, smooth voice. The woman opened her eyes and gazed past him at Bess. She spoke around the pipe stem, a stream of foreign words. She held out her hand and Bess took it, dropping to one knee as though being received by a queen. As delicate as a bird claw, the thin fingers wrapped around her hand and the old woman gazed into her eyes as she continued to talk. The sharp odor of burning tobacco and a foreign peppery smell wafted from the woman’s skin. After a few moments, she rested her hand on Bess’s head in benediction. Alexi said something else to his grandmother then took Bess’s arm and escorted her away. “She likes you.” “I didn’t even say anything.” “You don’t need to. Baba reads people. She recognizes a good person.” “Is she…in charge here? She seems so regal.” “My father is the leader, but Baba is still the mother of us all.” So her feeling that Alexi was royalty wasn’t her imagination. He was a prince of this gypsy tribe. “Are you hungry? You must have something to eat and drink.” He poured a glass of amber liquid and chose food for her plate from a table laden with dishes. Bess accepted both, but thought of the fairytale convention that those who ate fairy food could never return to the human world. Reviews*: Karen Scott's blog, Azteclady, 7.75 out of 10 I am torn whether the best part of the story is Bess’ self awareness and growth, or the ending. Then again, the latter reflects the former, so perhaps it’s one and the same.

Reviews*: Karen Scott's blog, Azteclady, 7.75 out of 10 I am torn whether the best part of the story is Bess’ self awareness and growth, or the ending. Then again, the latter reflects the former, so perhaps it’s one and the same.

Friday, June 12, 2009

We offer a weekend poll at The Long and the Short of It romance reviews-- we want to know which book or story sounds like the best read based on our reviews. The winning author gets a nifty button and the privilege of having their book or story featured at the top of that page the entire next week!

Your story "A Trust Earned­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­" was reviewed by us this week and is up for Best Book honor this weekend (voting runs from Saturday, 6/13, through Sunday, 6/14).We thought you might like to know.You can find the information here on Saturday:

Now I know it's a big town and a little hard to get around, so let me give you directions. You won't even need a pencil to write them down. LOL

To play, you do have to register, but tell the guy at the gate you're there for the picnic and he'll let you through. Once you're in Shadow Heights, head down to the West End. It's a block after the Business district, then check out the Town Square Park. See the Jumpy for the kids? Yep, that's us. We'll have burgers and 'dogs--the kind that go on buns and probably the kind that eat them too. If you have a woof, bring him! We're an animal friendly group.

Like I said, I'll be there a little later this morning, probably about noon, but I should be there until I'm too red to sit on my own petard. LOL!!! So the only address you really need is this one right here *flashing neon sign* >> http://www.shadowheights.com/forum/index.php

Hope you'll come hang out with us. I heard someone was bringing a margarita machine and a shaved ice trailer for the kids. Don't want to miss those!

Now, I know y'all are expecting something else than this. I usually have the book, blurb, and a nice (usually) complimentary, generalized review. Today, I can't do that.

Today, to stretch my brain after finishing a massive vampire WIP and cranking out about forty pages on another story, my little brain literally said "NO MORE!" and it took a hike leaving me staring at my computer rather...well, dumbly.

So to escape this problem I grabbed ye ol' reader and hit a button. Diving into a book I've been meaning to read--why else would I buy it, right?--I am sadly disappointed. Oh, let me count the ways.

Now for the sake of the author, I'm not here to humiliate, or scorn the effort. (Note the possessive of mentioning only MYSELF here>>) I am about || <this close to throwing it against the wall, which being that it's in my reader and physically impossible without massive damage to my reader, I'm not gonna do that.

The story started out well enough with the plot right up front, believable characters and an attraction that could melt buttah. Then something happened! Oh noes!

I can accept headhopping if it's done well, with concise management between characters. What is driving me batty is not only sloppy headhopping, but inconsistent POV. (Point of view). This particular story travels from 1st (I'm fine with that) to a sub character in 3rd, then back to our heroine, in 1st again. Repeat, lather, rinse with no rhyme or reason other than the story should have been in 3rd all the way around from my point of view. Add in a seemingly lacksadasical concern about the character's personal health for the sake of that "melts buttah" attraction and I'm at a loss. The heroine is literally a slave to her lust for the hero and whenever she "thinks" she should be concerned about her situation, they boink.

Makes for a lot of boinking.

So in truth this isn't a review, but rather a note: I don't like headhopping and POV changes to this degree. We all learn something new everyday, I guess.

Roman Aiza is the second born son of the Aiza clan. He also owns and operates a private security company and has an ongoing contract with one of Florida's most influential residents. He is patrolling at a party when he encounters a woman who will haunt him. A woman who at their first meeting, manages to walk right out of his hands when he follows her for trespassing. She manages to do this without giving Roman a single reason why she is in the depths of the house he is protecting. When he does finally locate her days later, his goal is to prove that his instincts are wrong. She is not the woman that all of his senses are clamoring for.

Yet when the daughter of Roman's largest and closest account is kidnapped and held for ransom, will they be able to build a trust between them? Or will their own secrets keep them apart?

A Trust Earned:

Selene Aiza is a very compassionate woman by nature, and fiercely protective of those she cares for. A renowned doctor with gentle patient skills, she prefers the wild country of western Oregon and the secluded hospital where she can help the people who truly need her assistance. And in the depths of those wooded wilds she can keep her secrets well hidden.

She is safe until the man she encounters by pure chance becomes the hospital's first choice as co-administrator. Her secrets and her very life fall into jeopardy, and only he can save her. He could also destroy her.

For more including excerpts, links and information, check out my website: http://www.dianacastilleja.com

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

It's true. Don't get me wrong. I'm Italian. I love to eat. I love food. I love trying things, savoring, enjoying. I hate getting to that point. The preparation, the doing, the waiting on timers, the clean up. I could as soon live on simple foods and never have to cook a real meal again and probably not miss it for years. Part of it is finding things the men in my house will eat.

It has come as a surprise, however wonderful, that the boy loves asparagus. The man? Not so much, but he'll eat it. Tonight I made "sweet chips". Thin sliced sweet potatoes, fried to a crisp then tossed with a cinnamon-brown sugar mix. Crisp, sweet and not at all bad.

The boy liked them, but left more on his plate than he ate. *sigh*

Part of my hating to cook is the arguments every night at the table to get him to eat, or try, something. He's seven and it's wearing thin. At least he's stopped throwing up during dinner. On the table. Yes he did that. A LOT.

I just really don't like the mess, the doing of it. I don't like to cook. Of course, adding that to the "I don't like to clean" "I hate laundry" kind of mantras I have, the man will just call me lazy. Maybe, but isn't it fair to hate the job you do because you have no choice? I know he hates his job. He complains often and well. I'm not allowed to complain because I don't work.

Yeah, right.

So, now I can add another to the list. I hate cooking. Make it simple and we're golden. Make it Thanksgiving, and I'm gonna kill someone.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Ms. Castilleja portrays her characters with sensitivity and precision, and the reader happily follows as she leads them through their trials to the HEA. Her secondary characters enhance her hero and heroine and yet have their place in this series.

That I missed the opening book has not detracted from my enjoyment and involvement with Bram, Selene and the rest of her cast. All it had achieved is my desire to find and read Diana's first book.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Thursday, June 4, 2009

I don't have any place to really share this, but I've had a very good day on the writing front.

*drumroll*......

4396!!!

I could probably squeeze out four more words, but I'm just about brain fried. LOL I'm due in Austin to meet with the mom person so tomorrow may not be a good writing day. Gotta take 'em where I can get 'em.

Abby has just arrived in Summerville, Ohio, with her placid Newfoundland, Bowser. She’s reluctantly inherited her grandmother’s coffee shop, but it’s not long before she’s brewing up trouble in the form of magical baked goods and steaming up her life with an exasperating college professor.

And then there’s Daisy, a web code writer, and her hyperactive Jack Russell, Bailey. Her tightly-wound world spins out of control when she discovers the chaos within and meets a mysterious dog trainer whose teaching style is definitely hands-on.

Finally there’s Shar, professor of ancient history at Summerville College, who wakes up one morning to find her neurotic dachshund, Wolfie, snarling at an implacable god sitting at her kitchen table, the first thing in her life she hasn’t been able to footnote.

What on earth is going on in this unearthly little town? It’s up to Abby, Daisy, and Shar to find out before an ancient goddess takes over Southern Ohio, and they all end up in the apocalyptic doghouse…

~~~~

I was really surprised when I began this book, thinking it was an anthology. It is in fact, more of a round-robin style of writing. The three stories start at three different points within the same town, at the same time, and quickly converge. I've never read a book with three couples but found this one to be highly engaging and hard to put down.

There's a lot of doggie loving in these stories, which is what drew me to the book to begin with. By the end, the whole book has gone to the dogs, in a good, wonderful way. I thoroughly enjoyed the out of left field personalities and antics of the canine companions.

Shar is the oldest and most logical female, turned upside down by Samu-la-el, or Sam to us mortals. Abby is independent, with no experience with love. Her life is an utter puzzle to Christopher, who is even more logical than Shar. Daisy has a maturity issue that almost breaks her and Noah up, but his patience with her is endearing and it was a real pleasure to see all three couples find their happily-ever-afters.

There's a lot of historical references in the book. How much is factual? Don't know, don't really care to investigate, but the underlying bits made it all legit in my mind to make it a very fun read. The magic gave me goosebumps at the end when they face down Kammani Gula. Very well written and descriptive. Overall, a lot going on because there's essentially three romances but nothing is lost as the plot moves the three forward, the action moving them toward finding love.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

It's done! Unless I forgot to tie up something or left out a final conclusion somewhere, Joaquin and Lily are done. The final before revisions: 83.4K Now to let it sit and read it later.

Now for more news:The countdown has begun for the Aiza Clan Shifter Series combo book. This releases in just two weeks! I can't wait. It's a gorgeous book and a nice size one too. Well worth the price of admission, two stories in one! Can't beat that. I'll be having my first signing in celebration of my newest release on June 20th. Check it all out here for the details.

Over all, it's been a quiet weekend. The man has been home on vacation and the summer just started for the boy yesterday. Aside from them and a little house hunting on the side, it hasn't been a bad week.

If you missed my announcement last week, if you're going to be attending the Authors After Dark Paranormal Weekend in October, look for me! I'm providing a goody basket for raffle full of some awesome Aiza Clan swag, a hat, a journal... A nice long list of goodies. And tickets are only a buck! It is going to be a blast!